More Dominick Cruz

Biography

TRAINING: Two practices five days a week and one on Saturday

When and why did you start training for fighting? I wrestled my whole life and I wanted to continue to compete.

What ranks and titles have you held? Former UFC bantamweight champion, WEC bantamweight champion. Total Combat 145 & 155 lb champion. I own WEC and UFC belts and I need more; my pants don't fit very well.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means I can truly call myself one of the best fighters on the planet and that my dreams and goals are slowly being accomplished!Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

What was your job before you started fighting? Customer service rep

• First ever UFC bantamweight champion

• Unbeaten at 135 pounds (12-0)

• On 13 fight winning streak

• 7-1 in WEC career

• Owner of a distinct stand-up style that has proven almost impossible to decipher

• Lone pro loss came in WEC featherweight title bout against Urijah Faber

• Pro since 2005

• Seven wins by KO, one by submission (RNC)

• Was sidelined due to injury from October of 2011 to September of 2014

• Was stripped of title in 2014 due to injury; never lost title in the Octagon

• Origin of nickname: “My nickname was a joke. As I played high school football, I wasn't big or extremely fast, but was basically just tough...my teammates would make a joke and call me The Dominator when I would take the position of "scrub team" linebacker on the defense while scrimmaging against my own team in practice. I always thought it was funny.”